Carers get free off-peak public transport
Carers who hold a Carers Health Care Card and receive the Commonwealth Carer Payment can now travel for free between 9am and 3.30pm on weekdays and free all day at weekends and on public holidays.
“This is an important benefit for thousands of carers in our community - and I’m delighted to deliver on this election commitment to help people who play a vital role in supporting others,” Transport Minister Troy Buswell said.
“In our first term, the Liberal National Government introduced the popular free off-peak travel for seniors and disability support pensioners. From day one to December 31, 2012 that initiative has provided 28.843 million boardings free of charge, representing a total saving of $18.122million to eligible travellers.”
The free travel commitment will save carers $1.2million in public transport fares over the next four years.
Community Services Minister Tony Simpson said the free travel was recognition of the tireless work carers do in the community for the people they love.
“We’re about building safer and stronger communities and helping those in the community who need it most,” Mr Simpson said.
“Public transport can be a lifeline to the wider community for carers and the people they care for and I hope by giving carers free travel in off-peak times brings some financial relief.”
Eligible carers would need to provide evidence of their Commonwealth carers’ payments when applying through Transperth for the pensioners SmartRider.
Fact File
- Commitment to cost Liberal National Government $1.2million across four years
- Liberal National Government has allocated $243million to buy 66 new rail carriages to accommodate more than 12,000 extra passengers per service trip
- Total boardings since the introduction of free off-peak travel: 28.843 million
- 19.332 million on bus
- 9.403 million on trains
- 108,000 on ferries